■ GOV'T. HANDS OVER 500 UNITS OF TEMPORTARY HOUSES FOR MARAWI RESIDENTS

President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday led the turnover of the first 500 units of temporary shelters for displaced Marawi City residents. They were installed in Barangay Sagonsongan, Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. The next batch of 300 temporary housing units, which were donated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., will be turned over soon. The relocation came about two months after the military ended its combat operations in Marawi following the city’s liberation from the Maute terrorist group.

President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday turned over the first 500 units of temporary shelters to displaced residents of Marawi City, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said.

The first batch of temporary houses are located in Barangay Sagonsongan, Marawi City in Lanao del Sur.

Another 300 temporary housing units in Matungao, Lanao Del Norte, constructed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), will be turned over to the affected residents next.

The turnover ceremony was held about two months after the military ended combat operations in Marawi following its liberation from the Maute terrorists.

The terrorists occupied the city for five months after government troops raided the suspected hideout of terrorist leader Isnilon Hapilon.

“Nangako ang Presidente na babangon ang Marawi. Ngayong ika-27 araw ng Disyembre 2017, well, nagsimula na pong bumangon ang Marawi dahil ito po ang kauna-unahang housing shelters na ililipat, na ibibigay sa mga naging biktima ng digmaan dito sa Marawi (The President vowed that Marawi will rise again. Its recovery starts on December 27, 2017 with the turnover of the first batch of housing shelters to the affected residents),” Roque said.

The armed conflict in Marawi erupted on May 23, when a government raid against Hapilon failed and the terrorists went on a rampage in the city, taking hostages and burning down buildings.

The President declared martial law in the entire Mindanao later that day.

Martial law was extended by Congress to December 31, 2017 and further extended recently to December 31, 2018 to allow government to eradicate all armed groups that pose security threats in Mindanao and ensure the smooth rebuilding and rehabilitation of Marawi.